World Cup 2018: 4 key player battles to watch out for in the final - France vs Croatia

After one month and 63 matches, it is finally here. Croatia and France will line up in the Luzhniki Stadium for the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, in a bid to write themselves into the history books, and it promises to be a mouth-watering clash.

The road to the final has not been easy. France and Croatia have been pushed to the limit and tested severely, and have only managed to come through thanks to some superb individual performances at key moments.

Heading into the final, France on paper seem to be the favourites, but if there is anything at all that we have learnt from this World Cup, it is that one should expect the unexpected.

The Croatians have consistently performed at the highest level and have made full use of the talent at their disposal. This final against France though will need them to produce a performance like never before.

There are a number of interesting storylines to ponder over for this game. But as always, in the end it will come down to which set of players can step up when required. Here is a look at 4 key player battles that will decide the 2018 final.

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#1 Kylian Mbappe vs Dejan Lovren

Kylian Mbappe - prodigy

A couple of months ago, Dejan Lovren was playing in the Champions League final, and now he is going to start in the World Cup Final.

Due to his recent run of performances it's safe to say he's one of the best defenders in the world, a claim that is about to be put to the ultimate test when he comes face to face with France’s teen sensation - Kylian Mbappe.

It is tough to find a game which Mbappe has not impacted favourably. His wide array of skills have been on full display for the world to see in this tournament. He has burned defenders with his unbelievable pace and often left them grasping thin air with his dribbling skills and ball control.

He has been France’s outlet when playing out from the back, and has scored vital goals in France’s progress through the tournament. France play a fluid position-less brand of football when attacking with Griezmann and Mbappe interchanging positions often and occupying pockets of space available in and around the defence.

Defenses can never rest when dealing with these two and the aerial threat of Olivier Giroud, this is why Lovren could be in for a long night. On the flip side, Giroud’s terrible tournament has meant that Mbappe has had to shoulder the majority of the goal scoring burden, and so if you stifle him, France could be in serious trouble.

They have been criticized for being overly defensive at times and being unable to break down defenses, a problem which could be exacerbated if Lovren marshals the defence well. It promises to be a titanic battle, one which could well decide how the final pans out, and it will certainly be interesting to see who comes out on top.

#2 N’Golo Kante vs Luka Modric

Luka Modric - maestro

Luka Modric was already considered one of the premier midfielders in world football, but it is safe to say he has reached a new level at this World Cup. He has orchestrated the Croatian midfield with near perfection, performing a variety of roles seamlessly.

He has been instrumental to his team’s success at this World Cup, and has dominated the midfield nearly every time he has stepped on the pitch. However, in the final he will come up against French engine - N’Golo Kante, who is bound to provide him with his sternest test yet.

It cannot be over emphasised just how important Kante is to this French side. Kante is a forceful presence in midfield. He makes interceptions, wins tackles and breaks up play all over the pitch, while also being useful in linking the play going forward.

He is often put onto the opposition’s most influential players to slow them down, expect him to do a similar job against Modric.

If Kante stops Modric from picking out passes and running the midfield, Croatia could be in massive trouble. Modric was pretty much anonymous in the first half of the semi-final against England, and as a result they trailed.

When he got into the game more in the second half, Croatia were able to turn it around. It was an indication of just how important Modric is to Croatia’s play and France would have seen that and realized what they need to do.

There are few players currently in world football who do what Kante does. If Kante comes out on top in the battle of the two midfielders, Croatia’s dream might very well be over.

#3 Danijel Subasic vs Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris - safe hands

Subasic and Lloris both had moments in the semi-finals that were critical in the result of their respective games. Subasic did brilliantly to deny Kane from close range which could have put them 0-2 down and probably ended their challenge, while Lloris made a stunning stop to deny Alderweireld what could have been a game changing opener for Belgium.

It proved just how important these moments are in the long run, under-appreciated as they might be.

Both men will have to be at their utmost best in the final. We have seen how goalkeeping errors can affect matches throughout the course of the tournament and a mistake on the biggest stage would be horrible.

In the event the match proceeds to a penalty shoot-out, even more pressure will be on the two. Subasic has proven himself over and over again in this tournament, guiding Croatia to two penalty shoot-out victories already.

While France have yet to be taken the distance, Lloris is on his day one of the top 5 keepers in the world, and it has most definitely been his day every time he has stepped out on the pitch in this tournament.

There will be chances for both sides, and most assuredly both keepers will be called into action. In an intense atmosphere, it could come down which of the two can hold their nerve and pull out some stops.

#4 Raphael Varane vs Mario Mandzukic

Mandzukic (r) - lethal!

Mario Mandzukic’s semi-final winner against England will forever go down in Croatian history, but he will want to do it all over again in the final against France. Mandzukic has had a good tournament for France, and Croatia utilize his talents to the fullest.

Mandzukic is a tall and powerful striker who likes to dominate aerially. He is an above par finisher who has very good instincts in and around the box, but he is going to come up against a French defence which has been really good in this tournament.

In their semi-final against Belgium, France had to deal with a similar threat in Romelu Lukaku, and the combination of Varane and Umtiti made sure he was almost a non-factor. Varane in particular has been wonderful for France, providing stability and solidity at the back and he will have his hands full dealing with Mandzukic.

Expect a highly physical battle between the two and especially during set pieces as Croatia will look to capitalize on Mandzukic’s aerial prowess.

Croatia will need all hands on deck if they are to have any chance at beating France and a lot of that responsibility is going to fall on Mandzukic.

Meanwhile France will be hoping Varane can shut him down and power France to one last clean sheet which could well be the one that wins them the World Cup.